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Just heard back from Lexus Customer Relations. ES300h cars are fitted with AGM batteries. Now I can charge with my Ctek using the correct setting.

There are plenty out there that will do a fine job - I have used Ring ones for many years - however the gauges on most electric pumps (and foot pumps) tend be rather inaccurate and so it's worth investing in a good standalone pressure gauge to check the pressure after inflating - once you know the delta then you can usually set the cutoff on the electric one at a pressure that you know is correct (regardless of what it actually reads).

Here's my setup. I'm using a Maypole smart charger and a Bosch S4 sealed battery in my GS450h. The lamp in the boot is switched off and the bootlid is left ajar to allow for the charger mains lead to trail out.

Thanks guys for all the info, you all have so much knowledge about these sort of things, very grateful. I have checked my Ctek charger and as John correctly says there is a AGM indicator light which comes on if you press the mode button several times. However the 12v battery in my car has no markings to suggest it is an AGM unit because I'm assuming the words contains sulphuric acid means it is a lead acid battery. Please let me know if my assumption is wrong. Thus ensuring that I will not be engaging the AGM mode on the Ctek. I have just ordered the dongle traffic light indicator that Farqui (Lee) mentioned off eBay for just over £11 incl postage. It seems like a good idea to be able to just look at it and wait to see what colour led flashes , red = needs charging, amber = will need a charge soon and green = fully charged. I saw the same Harry's Garage YouTube video on storing cars which included a piece about this smart device. Thanks again for the help

Took the LS out doors for a spring clean do not use any kind of paint rejuvenation just Holts triplewax wash and rinse . Gave the inner mudguards a swill but I am fortunate that a breeze blows through the garage all the time and it is very dry so no moisture accumulates when the car is stood.

Wanted by INTERPOL ?

Sami, Proslip https://www.amazon.co.uk/ProSlip-Caliper-Lubricant-Toyota-Mercedes/dp/B07886FP12/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2PD6303B409NC&dchild=1&keywords=proslip+brake+grease&qid=1586284331&sprefix=Proslip%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFORkQwMEI1TVBTVFomZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2MjIwNjAxQ0FSMVFXTUo2MFZDJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwMzM1NDUxNDMwQ0ZJODhaT0NDJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== No connection. John

Thanks all, but the 2004-2006 LS430 does not have a transmission dipstick like on the LS400 or the 2001-2003 LS430. I think I'm going to leave it be as it still shifts smooth as butter. My LS430 has 126k miles on it now and without access to a lift there is no way I am attempting what the US site suggests. I changed the ATF on my 1998 Honda Legend at 130k miles and that was easy enough as it had the dipstick tube for filling, even if it took most of a morning.

Nothing bad, it' s worse charging normal battery with AGM settings. More, it is quite probable that GS battery is not AGM.

Good luck with one of the Chinese copies 🥺

Hi, There is a tool set for removing control arm bushings and bearings. It is like a puller using a long thin threaded bolt and steel tubes of various sizes. Using the right combination of tubes and thick washers of the set, the bushing can be pushed out. Using the same tool, another bushing can be installed. The same principle applies to bearings. If you do not have this tool, before installing an interference fit bearing, put the new bearing in the freezer when you begin work to remove the bearing. By warming the bearing housing with a camping gas flame, the new bearing can be put in position by hand. You must be quick because when it gets hot from the housing, it will need some persuasion to move. Chris.

I always thought Ethanol was an octane booster and did not have the type of cleaning additives V-Power is supposed to have.

Just move the car forwards or backwards a foot every few weeks or just turn the car round. Other alternative is to jack the car up, and put it on blocks so that the wheels are not touching the ground. John.

I have a very compact RAC Inflator, from I think Halfords. Neat, small and efficient and does the job, plugs into cigar lighter socket. These items have scaled down in size significantly over the last few years... I also have an independent one linked to a booster battery with its own supply, as above, but It is bulky and heavy, and I find myself using the RAC for convenience.

@JeffL that certainly looks the bee's knees , thanks for sharing 🙂

Different car, but same as @Arqum, I just wired mine directly to the battery. Works fine.

Ganesh, might this be of interest? It appears that you don't have to plug it into the cig lighter on your car (although that option is available). It's a battery power pack with compressor. Rechargeable at the mains. I'm thinking this might be a good buy on the basis that the cost of a compressor plus the cost of a converter would cost as much. Anyone else on here got a view? https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/jump-start-910-cw-12v-compressor/

The Panasonic battery in my wife's MX5 lasted for 16 years. I put its longevity down to charging it once a month with my Ctek charger, which I do to all my cars.

Although the chemistry in AGM ,and normal flooded lead acid batteries is basically the same the AGM has a slightly higher terminal voltage. The AGM voltage is 14.2 volts while the flooded battery is 13.8 volts. The old style transformer chargers will generally charge both types, but are not suitable for trickle charging "being permanently left connected" as they tend to overcharge the batteries. Chargers designed for flooded batteries tend not to fully charge AGM batteries because the output voltage is to low. They will however charge AGM batteries to a point where they can be used to start a car, but because the battery never reaches full charge there is a risk of some sulphasion. AGM battery chargers will charge both types of battery fully, but can slightly over charge lead acid batteries so that the battery may need topping up with distilled water. Most modern battery chargers are capable by switching or auto means of charging both type of battery. I do not now if this applies to the Ctek charger, but the Aldi/Lidl chargers are excellent chargers with a blue illuminated liquid crystal voltage display, charge type, and level. The only downside is that if the supply to the charger fails because of a power cut it does not restart automatically. The on off button has to be pressed to start charging. At circa £12 they are an excellent buy with a 3 year guarantee. John.

My F is wired to the positive and negative of the battery. I'm using the comfort connector with the indicator. Been using this method since having the F and no issues so far.

I am about to go out to the car, open the boot and sneak another four cans of the cider which I stocked up on before this virus thing kicked off into the house. I shall give her a gentle "thank you for looking after them" pat afterwards. Does this count?

Hi Vlad , I do not have a garage so do everything outside. I bought an electric polisher a couple of years ago and agree it is much easier Rgds, Roger

Dyslexic Salesman?

Last week I gave the Car its bi-annual Wash and wax. Scrubbed up quite nicely considering I only take off Birds muck and wash the wheels more regularly after long trips. She (oops) "it" is only 27 years young. Did manage some time ago to almost push out that Hail dent in the rear d/s quarter wing. If anyone has a T-Hotbox I'd be interested to know how they got on with it? Saw Ed China (not his fault its his name!) using one on a Chevrolet Luv to remove dents from the roof. Amazing! As I've got possibly fifty dents in total on boot, roof and bonnet, I may if I ever get to France again (praying frantically) spend some time removing the dents and of course re-spray the front wing with the proper colour (not ebay seller wrong paint chart) that I left over there. No garage here so...